copper repipe shower

Copper Repiping – Do it Yourself and save thousands!

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More Repipe Photos

The total cost of this project was around $700 for 100 feet of both 1/2 and 3/4 inch copper type-L tubing and fitings. I had never soldered a sweat joint before, but had plenty of experience with electronics soldering techniques — it’s pretty much the same.  It’s a tough, dirty job, so if you’ve got the money, consider having it done professionally. (Check back for more on how to solder copper pipes).

shower pan installation

Shower pan photos

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The old shower pan leaked, and when the house was in escrow the previous owner was required to replace it — estimates came in around $1200.00, but what’s the point if we were simply going to rip it out to remodel the bathroom anyhow? We worked it out so that the new owners (us) could replace it instead.

How to install a new shower pan:
Step 1: Remove the old tile with hammer and chisel.

Step 2: Purchase a new drain with flange, riser, weep holes.

Step 3: Purchase PVC liner material and cement — it’s much more reliable than the old fashioned “hot mop” method, where the tile man calls his roofer buddy over to slop tar all over (in time, this cracks and leaks).

Step 4: Place sloped wood shims in shower floor to guide the mud application: should be 1/2 inch near drain, sloping radially up to about 3/4 inch near walls.

Step 5: Mix mortar, sand, and a bit of water to dryish consistency (should just clump in your hand when squeezed). Apply and pack.

Step 6: Next day, cut liner in rectangle, so that when it is installed, it will run up the shower walls at least 3 inches higher than the shower door threshold. Note that you are not supposed to cut into the corners — instead, think of it as wrapping a present: fold it into the corners so that it will hold water and tack it in place around the perimeter of the top using roofing staples.

Step 7: If you must have a seam, then use the cement with a 3 inch lap (read the label).

Step 8: Apply silicone sealant to the underside of the top drain flange and bolt it to the bottom drain flange, sandwiching the liner between. Should be waterproof. Place drain cap and water test the liner. It must hold water for at least 20 minutes to pass local inspection — better to test overnight.

Project Cost: $50.00

cherry vanity with limestone

Main Bathroom – Before

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Main Bathroom – After (90%)

The new bathroom features a frameless glass shower, which substantially opens the small room.  A natural cherry vanity with limestone top (similar to the limestone floor), and tumbled travertine tiles accent opposite walls.  Low-voltage lighting highlights the new material and provides a low-level night light. >>tiling shower

kitchen cabinet layout plans

Kitchen cabinets – Before / During

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Cabinetry – After

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Well, we eventually found a manufacturer who supplies the trade, and does not do any finishing!  So, I basically stained, finished, and installed them complete for $5000. Wholesale cabinets. Quite a reasonable solution for kitchen full of custom genuine cherry cabinets.  The finishing process was pretty easy — you could do it yourself.  I am preparing a series of articles on how to complete this yourself, so bookmark and come back!

Left to do: trim and countertop.

after

Half Bath – Before     After

>> more after photos

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We had to remove the load-bearing wall (left first photo above) and add beams over the new bath area.  Also, bought a slightly undersized (4 1/2 foot) Kohler tub to make this work — but it does not feel cramped, due to the curved shower rod.  Installed and painted wainscot to add interest to this still small but totally functional bathroom.

after

before

The remodeled kitchenette / breakfast nook area is much brighter with the new porcelain floor tile, the new recessed halogen lights and the chandelier, even though we removed on of the windows. The wrought-iron glass table is from Bombay… as is the clock. My wife must be on their VIP list by now!

(To the right of this photo is the sink area, and to the left is the pantry cabinet.)

Original kitchenette / breakfast nook area was a little cramped with the base cabinets in the way. The wall with the third window on the right was removed when we expanded the galley kitchen area.

Cherry cabinets - after

Kitchen – Before

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Kitchen – After

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>> see the kitchen remodeling photos

Kitchen Addition

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• More space,
• natural cherry cabinets,
• granite countertop,
• porcelain tile flooring,
• Frigidaire Professional series
• Price-Pfister fixtures,
• halogen lighting,
• crown molding,
• and Behr paint.

Half Bath Expansion

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• More space,
• Kohler undersize cast-iron tub,
• limestone shower tile,
• porcelain floor tile,
• beadboard wainscot,
• Kohler Memoirs lav and toilet,
• Price Pfister fixtures
• curved shower curtain,
• and Behr paint.

Main Bathroom Remodel

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• Frameless glass shower,
• natural cherry vanity,
• limestone countertop and floor,
• tumbled travertine tile accents,
• Price-Pfister fixtures,
• halogen lighting,
• crown molding,
• and Behr paint.